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Forums - Gaming - Is Microsoft in Trouble in the Coming Years?

SaviorX on 15 May 2012
Flame said:
The Xbox brand has gotten way too popular to fail and it's the only console with Halo to boot. Microsoft is here to stay. Microsoft is also making an effort to cater to all demographics and quite honestly, it's working. Their Games division is profitable; you can't fault them for that.


QFT

If anything, I see the Xbox brand getting even bigger next generation. Who knows if they can improve their Japanese standing but eh...



Leatherhat on July 6th, 2012 3pm. Vita sales:"3 mil for COD 2 mil for AC. Maybe more. "  thehusbo on July 6th, 2012 5pm. Vita sales:"5 mil for COD 2.2 mil for AC."

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saicho on 15 May 2012

Windows 8 will keep MS out of trouble regardless how it does with its gaming division



MikeB predicts that the PS3 will sell about 140 million units by the end of 2016 and triple the amount of 360s in the long run.

Andrespetmonkey on 15 May 2012
FattyDingDong said:
Microsoft will succeed no matter what. Whether you like it or not.

This!!1!

(for lols)



My Music

man-bear-pig on 15 May 2012

No matter how much trouble they get in, they will always have the loyal support of Big Gino aka Fattydingdong.



My prediction threads:

Wii U will sell under 40m units (made on 14th September 2012)

PS Vita will sell under 20m units (made on 30th September 2012)

Wii U will sell under 7m in 2013 - I was right

Halo 4 first 9 weeks sales prediction

PS4 to be down YOY in 2015

bouzane on 15 May 2012
Slimebeast said:
Haven't read the article yet but I am 100% positive that the casual strategy of MS will backfire in next gen. As a traditional gamer myself I switched from Xbox to PS3 because the lack of core games and because the casual strategy of MS is embarrassing.



The impression that I get is that by embracing the casual market Microsoft prolonged the life of the 360, increased its profitability and allowed their studious to focus on Trinity development in order to ensure a strong launch. Sure, the drought of core software isn't good but it's better than having to suffer through a barren launch period.



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Wagram on 15 May 2012

It depends on if they continue with the path they are taking. I don't think MSFT will be in any massive situation like say where Sony's at right now, but they might come into trouble with the Xbox brand. If those Wii owners or that "casual" market move on they're in for a challenge to bring that hardcore audience back. The last few years have been pretty bare for the Xbox. I hope they don't decide to follow the route they're taking.



Flame on 15 May 2012
badgenome said:
Flame said:
The Xbox brand has gotten way too popular to fail

The same thing would have been said about Playstation during the PS1 and especially the PS2 years. A fall from grace is always possible.

That's not to say MS is necessarily going to fall into the same trap. The back end of their console cycles seem to suck because they're focusing so much on preparing for the next generation, so the first few years of the Nextbox will probably see blockbuster after blockbuster just like the 360's first few years did. The only real pitfalls I can really see are if Sony gets the jump on them by launching first and their decision to keep their online free makes people shift away from Live, and if MS banks too heavily on Kinect but people decide they don't give a shit about Kinect anymore next gen.


If the launch of their next console isn't bad like the PS3s was (A nice launch of software with affordable hardware), they could easily maintain their relevancy.  Their thunder probably won't be as heavy next gen because the conquest of "stealing" Sony's third party exclusives is over.  There's nothing to take.  Sony has done well to rely on their own now.  That said, the casual market is a bigger market than the "Hardcore Gamer" market and Halo, whether anyone likes it or not, is recognised by that casual market.  Playstation used to be recognised by third party franchises and that is over now.

Next gen will probably be exactly the same in terms of sales, both being neck and neck.

Personally, I don't see a huge difference in PSN vs XBL but my view isn't everyone else's view.  People will continue to pay it if they feel it is worth it.

I won't get into Kinect as my views lean towards being strongly negative towards it and unfortunately I have the darn thing.



Dallinor on 15 May 2012
bouzane said:
Slimebeast said:
Haven't read the article yet but I am 100% positive that the casual strategy of MS will backfire in next gen. As a traditional gamer myself I switched from Xbox to PS3 because the lack of core games and because the casual strategy of MS is embarrassing.



The impression that I get is that by embracing the casual market Microsoft prolonged the life of the 360, increased its profitability and allowed their studious to focus on Trinity development in order to ensure a strong launch. Sure, the drought of core software isn't good but it's better than having to suffer through a barren launch period.


I'd much rather have consistent support later on. I can wait a year or so to pick up a new system, but after I've bought it I want regular first party releases.



 

Jazz2K on 15 May 2012

If MS will do great. Some of you may not like Kinect but casuals love it and look how MS will put this everywhere, touch screens are everywhere, let's see Kinect being everywhere too, tvs with cameras... yep. Also Xbox Live will provide more than games, let's see apps flourish in the next box like they did on iPhone with gestures so people that don't care about gaming will want to get the console.

Also the more tv companies that sign deals with MS will make the console appealing to those who don't want to pay for cable.

MS will always come up with a fare share of major IPs that will drive sales and whatch third parties follow. The next Xbox has a chance to lead. Especially if they go with the cheap upfront payment with contract deal.



Slimebeast on 15 May 2012
bouzane said:
Slimebeast said:
Haven't read the article yet but I am 100% positive that the casual strategy of MS will backfire in next gen. As a traditional gamer myself I switched from Xbox to PS3 because the lack of core games and because the casual strategy of MS is embarrassing.



The impression that I get is that by embracing the casual market Microsoft prolonged the life of the 360, increased its profitability and allowed their studious to focus on Trinity development in order to ensure a strong launch. Sure, the drought of core software isn't good but it's better than having to suffer through a barren launch period.

The casual strategy may have prolonged the life of the X360 but I believe you can trick your consumer only so much. Xbox has been able to keep respect because they built a hardcore repuation in last gen and early this gen, but I believe soon they have wasted that trust. Key thing here is that I believe the success of Kinect has made MS invest too heavily on motion controls/Kinect in next gen, and Xbox 720 will appear as a (too) casual console while PS4 will be seen as the gamer's number one choice.

The Wii phenomenon taught that you can attract the casuals quickly for the price of losing the hardcore but in a short period of time realize that you have lost both markets and have to start all over. I am afraid that MS doesn't understand that casuals is a risky bet that most likely will backfire in next gen but of course I hope they are smarter than that.

(I also believe Apple will steal a huge share of the casual market with Apple TV in next gen, and Apple are famous for innovation, so they will steal both the family audience as well as some Call of Duty guys when Activision puts out Call of Duty on Apple TV).